“The reason for our monument is to remind the public of that war in Korea. “As returning veterans from that war, we believe that it is our duty to do this for our comrades who never returned,” Lopez said. “With the help of the Santa Paula City Council, we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War with pride this year.”Lopez said if the council preferred, the monument could be erected elsewhere.“Where would you like it best?” asked Councilman Rick Cook.Veterans Park, said Lopez.Mayor Don Johnson had a suggestion: “It might have more visibility at the Depot; but the project might not happen as fast as you want it too. . .”Keeping such memorials together is probably best, said Vice Mayor Luna.After directing staff to work with Lopez and the Korean War veterans group, Johnson offered thanks for “your dedicated service. . .we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and people like you.”Lopez spearheaded the successful drive to have a portion of Highway 126 named in honor of Korean War veterans.
Korean War vets garners Council permission for Veterans Park monument
July 25, 2001
Santa Paula News
The City Council gave approval at the July 16 meeting for Veterans Memorial Park to be the site of a monument dedicated to those who fought in the Korean Conflict.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council gave approval at the July 16 meeting for Veterans Memorial Park to be the site of a monument dedicated to those who fought in the Korean Conflict.David Lopez, Commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, Ventura County Chapter #56, told the council constructing such a monument would use a “small portion of space in Veterans Park.”The monument the Korean War Veterans Association wants to erect would separately honor those killed, wounded or missing in action.Plans call for the monument to be about 42 inches high, 5 feet wide and 8 inches thick, with a 6 foot, 6 inch long footing.The group will contact Mendez Concrete, located in Santa Paula, to do the work on the footing: the monument itself will be delivered whole in up to three months.One side of the monument will read “We will honor and pay tribute to all those veterans that never got the opportunity to continue their civilian lives the way we did,” noting the Ventura County KWVA chapter. The other side of the monument will read, “U.S. Veterans 1950 Korea 1953” and give statistics on those Americans killed in action (54,246), wounded in action (103,284) and missing in action (8,177). The statistics will be followed by “Will Not Be Forgotten.”Veterans Park is home to a Veterans Memorial that lists those Santa Paulans killed in war since World War I through Vietnam.
